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1. North Dakota State: They suffered loss #1 to my beloved Youngstown State Penguins 27-24. Bison defense has no answer for the YSU offense for three quarters. If it weren't for a Hess INT on the Penguin's 2nd drive of the game at the Bison 10, it could have been a bigger win for YSU.
2. Northern Iowa: Trailed 21-7 to Southern Utah early, but outscored them by 27 unanswered to win it 34-21. Rennie was back for the Panthers. Thank you for knocking SUU out of the playoff picture. Sincerely, INSU-ILSU-YSU!
3. Youngstown State: Got a massive win on the road over the #1 NDSU Bison. As I stated before, a road win over #1 NDSU is a little bit stronger than a road win over a #6 UNI. YSU is one win away, over Misery State, from getting the 7 D1 wins to be playoff eligible.
4. Illinois State: Solid performance on the BYE week for the Redbirds. The bad news is their women's soccer team lost in the NCAA Tourney, their MBB lost, and YSU beat NDSU.
5. Indiana State: Certainly was not the most convincing win on the road at a bad Missouri State team. I think Indiana State needs to win, and win big, over Southern Illinois to strengthen their playoff resume of wins @WKU and vs. YSU.
---Drop Off--
6. South Dakota State: Sumner leads the Rabbits to a solid finish to the season. SDSU finishes the year at 5-6 with a signature win at YSU.
7. Southern Illinois: Finally did something offensively against EIU winning 45-28. I think SIU gives INSU all they can handle next week in Terre Haute.
8. Missouri State: Gave Indiana State a game, losing 28-20. Terry Allen gets the axe on the flight from Youngstown to Springfield next Saturday evening.
9. Western Illinois: For their own sake, they should be grateful they had a BYE before things could get any worse.

Playoff Outlook:
1. NDSU: Lock

2. UNI: Lock

3. ILSU: 7 wins. A win vs. UNI guarantees them a spot. I don't see it happening though.
RESUME: Strongest Win(s): at Massey #12 Indiana State

INSU: Needs to beat Southern Illinois for consideration.
RESUME: Strongest Win(s): vs. Massey #17 Youngstown State, vs. FBS Western Kentucky

YSU: Needs to beat Missori State for consideration.
RESUME: Strongest Win(s): at Massey #1 North Dakota State, vs. Massey #13 Illinois State

I agree with your top 5, however: "If it weren't for a Hess INT on the Penguin's 2nd drive of the game at the Bison 10, it could have been a bigger win for YSU." - McNorton also fumbled without anyone touching him as he was about to score. So those kind of cancel out. Good game, I just wished my Bison showed up on defense. Oh well, life goes on as all of our goals are still ahead of us.